Ryan Day makes Heisman Trophy case for Julian Sayin

In his first season as Ohio State‘s starting quarterback, sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin has led the reigning National Champions to an unblemished 12-0 record.

This includes the program’s first win over rival Michigan in ‘The Game’ since 2019, along with a season-opening 14-7 win over then-No. 1 ranked Texas. Across 12 games this season, Sayin totaled 3,065 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He was especially dominant in Big Ten play, boasting a 22:2 TD-INT ratio in nine conference games.

Heading into this Saturday’s Big Ten Conference Championship Game, Sayin is regarded as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy Award. Sayin and the Buckeyes will face off against Indiana and quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is yet another candidate for the award.

Ryan Day says Julian Sayin ‘has some special gifts about him’

Prior to kick-off in Indianapolis, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day joined ‘Bussin’ With The Boys‘ to discuss Sayin’s case for the Heisman Trophy. If selected, Sayin would be the first Ohio State player to win the Award since quarterback Troy Smith did so in 2006.

“I think he has the highest completion percentage ever for a college football player or something,” Day said. “Someone told me that. His accuracy is off the charts. We have great receivers, but that’s not his fault. He doesn’t miss those throws by much, you know? Carnell (Tate) did a great job on routes with separation, and Jeremiah (Smith) did the same.

“But those balls are on the money. He is just really, really accurate. And I think he has a special gift, in terms of his intelligence. Being around him everyday, he’s intelligent. He can handle high levels of information fast. I thought in ‘The Game’, they did a great job with disguise there and they got him on that one. But there was no panic, because I know exactly what he saw and went right back at it.

“He’s got composure, and he has a toughness about him. I think he really hadn’t really played a game in the elements. He had been practicing in it, but for him to handle that with the snow going sideways and just the way he played… scrambling for a first down and getting big third downs… he was excellent. I just think he’s got some special gifts about him.”

The Heisman Trophy ceremony will take place on Dec. 13, and will most likely feature Sayin, Mendoza, and Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. For the first two quarterbacks however, a National Championship certainly outweighs being named the Heisman winner.